Gas leak in prawn factory: Minor girls rescued while being taken away from hospital in Balasore

In a new twist to the gas leak incident in a prawn processing plant in Balasore in which as many as 18 persons were taken ill, some minor girls were rescued while they were being taken away from the hospital late last night.

The victims, who were undergoing treatment at the Nilagiri government hospital after falling unconscious, were rescued by BJP’s Balasore MP candidate Pratap Sarangi and local residents.

As per reports, Sarangi went to the local police station along with the workers engaged in the prawn factory and demanded stern action against the company.

“It’s a gross irresponsibility by the company. An investigation should be jointly launched into the incident by the Labour Department and police, and stern action should be taken against the company. All the minors working in the company should be rescued and rehabilitated,” said Sarangi.

After being informed about the incident, the District Labour Officer reached the hospital. However, he didn’t find any workers there. An investigation into the incident has been launched.

“We have started an investigation into the incident. More information in this regard could be divulged and proper action could be taken against the erring persons after the completion of the investigation,” said District Labour Officer Shuva Narayan Sahu.

Police reportedly sent 10 workers to a shelter home following the incident. 

Woman Working In The Factory ‘Missing’

Meanwhile, the husband of a worker engaged in the factory has alleged that his wife has been missing after the incident.

“My wife was working in the factory. However, she has been missing since the gas leakage incident. No security arrangement is there in the factory,” said Abshis Nayak, husband of a missing worker.

Notably, the mishap happened in the prawn processing plant near Gadiamala, Nilagiri in Balasore on Thursday night. While working inside the plant, some complained of head reeling and fell unconscious due to leakage of poisonous gas.

Later, 18 of them were shifted to the hospital for treatment. Most of the workers among them are reportedly minor girls.

“While working in the factory, some children fell unconscious. They were admitted to the nearby hospital for treatment,” said a worker in the factory.